Best Football Manager 2020 Tactic Patch 20.4: Knap’s BEOWULF 4-4-2

Welcome to our best Football Manager 2020 Tactic for patch 20.4, labelled an FM20 lower league tactic Knap’s BEOWULF also works in the Premier League. Originally posted on the SIGames Forum, its a flat 4-4-2 featuring attacking, high pressing Football. Built on a high line of engagement and high defensive line BEOWULF creates beautiful Football and is my go to tactic at every level.

This post is coupled with a Youtube video explaining how to use Knap’s best FM20 tactic from player roles, to tweaks and even some gameplay but for those who prefer our written reviews, keep scrolling.

Best Football Manager 2020 Tactic – Video

Best FM20 Tactic patch 20.4 – Formation

A simple system with two Advanced Forwards stretching the pitch, a pair of wingers who can either hug the line or cut inside (yes inverted wingers will work) and central midfielders to link up play.

This is an attacking, pressing system and can leave you exposed so two inverted wing backs are used to sit narrow and try to solidify the defence.

Please note, this system does require small tweaks for big games and certain scenarios. That is all explained in the video and this post further down, keep reading.

Best FM20 Tactic patch 20.4 – Instructions

We use a slightly more dirct style of play, this helps find those searching passes over the top and works a treat against attacking teams who like a possession based game. Higher tempo compliments this and fiarly wide width with the overlap on helps get those wingers involved.

The counter and counter-press work well but nothing out of the norm here.

That very high line of engagement can be seen in the match engine but these instructions are standard. The player instructions and roles are where the magic happens. There are times you may need to knock off ‘get stuck in’. Namely against the very top teams away from home but also other away games you feel maybe in the balance as red cards can be an issue.

Best Football Manager 2020 Tactic patch 20.4 – Player Roles

I have listed each player role below, followed by a description of the ideal player. This tactic does use custom set pieces which I will not upload. You really do need to download this tactic for it to work to its best.

GK – sweeper keeper (defend) – Due to the amount of one on ones in this years game I’d look at attributes in this area for any keeper.

DC’s – ball playing defender (defend) – I look for a towering presence, someone who is not a calamity on the ball (they will give away possession) and speed can be helpful.

DR/DL – inverted wing backs (support) – Fast, forward thinking wing backs will do very well in this system and passing ability should not be overlooked

MCR – box to box midfielder (support) – The engine room this MC will trace play effecting your defence and offence. Find all rounders with good physical attributes but more technical if you can. Passing is very important and the box to box midfielder can score from range so long shots would help.

MCL – deep lying playmaker (support) – The maestro, your Iniesta. The deep lying playmaker can go unnoticed unless a poor selection, they make passes you rarely see until misplaced. Obviously a great passer is important but good all round mental ability and technique are vital.

MR/ML – winger (attack) – I chose to use a right footed winger from the left with Scarborough and it worked a treat scoring goals galore. You should not change the role when doing this and any player preferring the opposite foot to his wing must be a class act for the level you play. Otherwise use standard wingers to cross the ball. Speed and skill are a must plus crossing and if cutting inside long shots will make a big difference.

ST’s – advanced forward (attack) – The main goal threat good finishers are a must but speed is even more important. If you can find an all round striker with good aerial ability, great, but don’t let this sacrifice speed and finishing.

When to tweak

Knap’s BEOWULF is a great base system and can be used for most matches but there are times you should look to tweak. Below is a tweaked download for big away games and other small changes you can make when needed.

When away from home in even affair take ‘get stuck in’ instruction off if you are seeing too many yellow cards. Ensure get stuck in is off for all ‘player instructions’ also.

If away from home against very big opposition (I’m talking United, Barcelona and Man City etc) use my cautious version (download here.)The changes are deeper defensive line, get stuck in off, cautious mentality and narrow attacking width. Credit to RDF for the idea here.

If holding a slender lead and worried about conceding, try cautious mentality with instructions ‘regroup’ and ‘hold position’.

In game, tell every player with a yellow to ‘ease off tackles’. Not doing so could lead to a second booking.

Best Football Manager 2020 Tactic Results

Simply amazing results, this was York Cities second season in the Premier League and while we have good players they’re all 22 or under and predicted to finish 7th.

We won the quadruple this season beating Man Utd in the Champions League final and FA Cup 5th round before Liverpool and Man City in the following rounds.

For those wondering about the lower leagues, we set a new record in the seventh tier of English Football while lifting the FA Trophy beating four National League sides…the National League is two divisions higher than tier seven.

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Hello! Thanks for the great tactic. I have two questions as a FM-Newbie:

1.
Quote:
“When away from home in even affair take ‘get stuck in’ instruction off. Ensure get stuck in is off for all ‘player instructions’ also.”

Sorry, but I don’t understand this with my bad english. Do I have to disable the setting “get stuck in” for every away match?

2.
When you’re using the attacking version of this tactic (not the cautios version), Do you change the mentality (defense, control, balance, attacking etc.) dynamically depending on the situation during the match OR do you play the whole game with the mentality “Attacking” (Except for a high lead in the last minutes = Cautious)?

1. You missed an important part to that…take get stook in off WHEN A PLAYER GETS BOOKED. Only adjust the setting when your player is booked…and during the very very hard away games you are changing tactic to the cautious system which already has those settings taken off.

2. No change of the mentality when using the attacking version. Just to defend the lead follow the instructions I shared. Its all in the post.

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May 3, 2020 20:31

Guest

Oliver

Great post. Having a lot of fun with this. Taken Chesterfield from National League to top of the Championship in 4 years. Very consistent system.

The only (major) issue I seem to have with it is when I’m chasing a game. If I go a goal down or I’m drawing in the second half, it seems almost impossible to get a goal back, never mind win. Teams will just sit back and soak up the pressure. It’s almost a given that I’ll get nothing out of the game if that happens.

To be honest a lot of that comes down to your teams personality as well and the overall quality of your team. I’ve actually been OK with this but as your teams standard drops going through the leagues this will get harder as it does with any system…if you are losing it is generally because you’re coming up against a system or team that plays into your weaknesses…ie they are using a possession based, defensive mentality system. Unfortunately when you go down it is hard to regroup but substitutions with good team talk generally do the trick for me.

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May 4, 2020 06:15

Guest

MrJon

Hi Darren, Thanks for this guide. I’m an old school CM player and back to FM2020 after quite a time off. I must say that the game definitely seems harder, or perhaps I just had more time back then? A bit of background on where I’m at: I started a new game as manager of Plymouth Argyle. I got off to a poor start and was warned by the board that results must improve. I tinkered with the tactics and landed on 4-1-2-2-1 or 4-3-2-1 (control possession and high pressing) which won us 10 games in a row and pushed us into the play-offs.However the season ended relatively poorly, opposition seemed to figure us out, and many draws or narrow victories followed. I missed out on 3rd place by 1 point and then lost to Walsall in the playoffs. At the end of the season I found this guide and followed instructions. Pre season went well- won all games by a huge margin other than Spurs who beat me 0-1 (I also had a goal disallowed). I’m 3 games into the new season and top of the league with 3 wins from 3.At this point I have a few minor… Read more »

Yes what you have described is a consistent irritation with older FMers as the AI now does adapt to your system so it is virtually impossible to remain rigid long term while playing in the same Division. Onto your questions:

1) Never, ever listen to my Assistant other than when he says ‘x’ player has been booked and should be told to ease off tackles…booking and red cards can be an issue.

2) Footedness does not matter. I have a left footed player on the right wing who plays excellent and left footed on the left wing who bags loads of assist. Priority is getting quick, skillful players and if they cut inside they should have good technique and long shots if possible.

3) Never ever change the roles, you will mess with the balance of the tactic. You need to find a faster striker in all honesty but use him as AF for now and see how you get on. Speed in behind is important but they can do well in the air also.

Hope this helps.

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May 20, 2020 16:16

Guest

Kai

if i find that a team comes up with a defensive/possession based tactic what should I do to brace for that?